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THE MONKEY KING 2 Now Filming; Cast/Character Details Available

From L to R: William Feng, Xiao Shen Yang, Gong Li, Him Law and Aaron Kwok

Late author Wu Cheng’en’s 16th century novel, “Journey To The West”, continually makes for great source material for those interested in seeing what great lengths they can take to accommodate possible film prospects. Terence Cheung knows this, having already seen major results with this year’s long-awaited fantasy adaptation, The Monkey King with action star Donnie Yen back in January.

Now, as per earlier plans to expand on the film’s success with the prospects of turning it into a franchise, principal photography is already underway in Wuxi, China for The Monkey King 2 from Filmko Entertainment. Actor Aaron Kwok who portrayed the Bull Demon King in the first film has inherited the title role in the new movie, which will be centered on Curse Of The Golden Flower leading lady, actress Gong Li‘s portrayal of The White Skeleton Demon. Actor William Feng is also starring as the holy monk, Tang Sanzang who begins his westward journey to retrieve the Buddhist scrolls. Playing his disciples are actor Xiao Shen Yang as the pig, Zhu Bajie, and actor Him Law as the sand monk, Sha Wujing, the latter who had a smaller role in the first film as young god, Muzha.

Co-producer Michael Wehrhahn, representing Global Star Productions for the first film’s expected release next year, was on hand to share some gems publicly about the sequel last month while attending the Urban Action Showcase & Expo. “It’s going to be a little bit more developed…” he said in part. “…I’m estimating that we’ll probably have it wrapped up within the next two years.” Indeed, as the production is currently slated for a five-month period as of late November with plans to release the film in time for the Lunar New Year celebration on February 8, 2016. Obviously it’s still a bit of wait, although it is much shorter compared to its predecessor which took close to four years following Yen’s attachment, although this should be more of a cakewalk by now with a teaser possibly arriving around late Fall, give or take a few weeks.

In the meantime, Global Star Productions is on track to deliver a North American version of The Monkey King by February next year while Cheung‘s recently completed effort with the upcoming Tony Jaa/Wu Jing headliner, SPL 2: A Time For Consequences is readying a 2015 release as well.

Stay tuned for more info. In the meantime, check out some behind-the-scenes photos of our cast undergoing hours of make-up, officially unveiled by Filmko in the gallery below, courtesy of MTime.

H/T: JayneStars

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SPL 2 Adds Two More To The Cast

Max Zhang strikes a pose in The Grandmaster

Actor Tony Jaa is currently preparing to join several other celebrities for the Middle East Film and Comic Con in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates where it just so happens filming has resumed for Jaa’s Hollywood debut, Fast And Furious 7 in the neighboring city of Abu Dhabi; Make no mistake though, the international action hero did previously state he would finish filming his scenes in June, so it is likely we will not here much from this end unless we are informed otherwise. At any rate, it will still be a busy year for the actor who just wrapped up Skin Trade with Dolph Lundgren and Michael Jai White and will soon be joining a stellar new line up of actors for the upcoming production of The Monkey King helmer Terence Cheung‘s next film, S.P.L. 2, the long awaited follow-up to the 2005 crime thriller which starred Donnie Yen, Simon Yam, Sammo Hung and Wu Jing, and was directed by Wilson Yip who is officially back as the producer for the next film.

This week, there are now more reports that Yam will also be returning, and possibly to reprise his old character, which obviously hints that the film will be a prequel, and you might have an idea about what that could mean if you have seen the first film. In addition, The Grandmaster and Rise Of A Legend co-star, actor and martial artist Jin Zhang (a.k.a. Max Zhang) will also be starring as the film’s main villain, Ma Sun. Jaa, Yam and Zhang will be accompanied by returning actor Jacky Wu Jing who starred in the first film as Hung’s enforcer. Also joining the production will be action choreographer Dion Lam (Spider Man 2, Street Fighter: The Legend Of Chun-Li) and actor Ken Lo, although there are no details regarding what role Lo will play if any. As you might guess, it is still pretty early to know full well what is happening with film as it has since been reported to start shooting this Spring, with Spring having already arrives. Do time will tell as we wait for the official word on who else will board this project, the plot, and whether or not the film will include the first film’s main protagonist, Yen, to some degree or another.

Stay tuned for more news ahead.

H/T: Movies With Butter

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Watch The Brand New Trailer For THE MONKEY KING: THE LEGEND BEGINS!

Sun Wukong, (The Monkey King) is a monkey born from a heavenly stone who acquires supernatural powers. After rebelling against heaven and being imprisoned under a mountain for 500 years, he later accompanies the monk Xuanzang on a journey to India. Thus, according to legend, Buddhism is brought to ancient China. This much beloved story, is as much a part of Asian culture as The Iliad and The Odyssey or The Wizard of Oz are to the West. This first installment in a trilogy of live action 3-D movies is actually a prequel to The Journey To The West, the much told story of the Monkey Kings adventures on the road to India. The Monkey King: Havoc In The Heavenly Palace will be released in the U.S. as The Monkey King. The first movie is the origins story — beginning with the birth of Sun Wukong and ending with his imprisonment for his crimes under the Five-Peaked Mountain. Along the way he acquires incredible powers, battling the armies of the gods and the armies of the demons to find his rightful place in the Heavens. It is a classic story of the scorned underdog who acquires great abilities but uses them recklessly and ultimately must pay a huge price to find redemption. The Monkey King captures the drama, beauty, humor and fantastic action of the folk legend and brings it to the screen in a way never before possible.

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